Mead's Rachel Crow performs in Macy's parade

Rachel Crow is one of the countless Americans who make watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade part of a family Thanksgiving tradition.

Now she's in the parade.

The former Mead resident, who at 14 last year became a star on the TV singing competition "The X Factor," was enlisted to perform on Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure float this year.

"To be part of it is really exciting," Crow said on the phone from New York on Wednesday.

She arrived in New York the previous evening and within hours was in rehearsal for the parade, she said. She'll sing her version of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" during the parade. Her recording of the song is included on "Merry Nickmas," a collection of holiday songs by Nickelodeon's roster of stars, including Crow.

When she visits New York she likes to dine, shop and go to shows, she said. She was thinking about seeing a performance of the Broadway musical "Mary Poppins."

Crow is reminded of her newfound fame when she exits her hotel.

"There's fans who wait for me outside," she said.

After her run on "The X Factor," Nickelodeon signed Crow to an overall talent deal that included plans for a TV series. She also signed with Columbia Records/Syco. She said she's still developing the TV show, though it probably won't be until the new year when she can release details, she said. She has also been working on recording music, including the single "Mean Girls."

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